Candidate for Vice President for Professional Development Roxann Read, AICP, CFM, FRA-RA, CPM

Since beginning my planning career in 2005, I have been committed to public education, community engagement, and advancing the planning profession. Early on, I founded a citizen group focused on planning, zoning, and community impacts. In Charlotte County, FL I served as liaison to community organizations, helping residents better understand zoning overlays and code improvements, while also introducing students to planning through classroom presentations and hands-on activities.

Since moving to Central Florida, I have been active in the Orlando Metro Section and have served as Section Chair since 2024. My work has focused on expanding professional development opportunities, strengthening member engagement, and supporting planners across Florida.

My contributions include:

• Serving as Local Host Conference Chair for FPC20 and FPC22
• Organizing the traveling Planning Officials Training program that became an APA Florida program
• Creating Planning Academy 101 and 102
• Coordinating webinars and in-person OMS events
• Serving as a CM Provider Administrator for OMS
• Monitoring OMS financial statements and reviewing section bylaws
• Serving on the APA Florida Legislative Policy Committee
• Serving as a Delegate to the APA Equity in Zoning Policy Guide Committee
• Co-authoring APA PAS Report 609: Complete Streets (published April 2026)

What are the three most important challenges facing APA Florida?

APA Florida faces three major challenges:

1. Supporting planners to manage rapid growth while addressing community concerns, equipping planners with information regarding climate change, and educating planners about legislative changes concerning planning policies. Community concerns over density and development are at the forefront of local government.
2. Planners must balance a variety of planning challenges with sustainable growth while managing public meetings well is non-negotiable during the 2020s. Our increasing vulnerability to flooding and sea-level rise requires stronger resilience planning and climate adaptation strategies.
3. Finally, navigating ever-evolving state legislation regarding planning cannot be ignored.

What do you most want to accomplish during your term?

As Vice President of Professional Development for APA Florida, I want to encourage, support and assist sections to do the following:

• Promote awareness of the educational opportunities available to AICP candidates
• Applying information gleaned from the AICP Commission
• Ensure that accessible, high-quality educational professional development opportunities are provided for planners working at all levels
• Create innovative programs that serve planners at all levels Incorporate virtual learning opportunities that benefit planners
• Strengthen connections between sections to offer quality programs and events that benefit people in the planning profession and closely related professions
• Share information on the FAICP process

How would you make sure your efforts are successful?

Success means stronger collaboration between sections, an increase in the number of educational events produced by sections, and the development of innovative programs that address evolving planning challenges, including managing growth, sustainability and resiliency, and legislative changes. It also means ensuring planners in all regions especially those with limited local resources can easily learn about critical planning topics while building professional connections, sharing experiences and best practices, and strengthening and encouraging each other statewide.